Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen sought to defend his country’s relentless bombardment of Gaza Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, speaking on behalf of the 22-member Arab Group at the UN, accused Israel of “razing Gaza to the ground” and lamented the Security Council’s failure to call an immediate ceasefire. “We followed with regret the inability of this council twice to adopt a resolution or even to call for a ceasefire to end this war,” said Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
Nearly 90 countries were on the speakers’ list for Tuesday’s debate including about 30 foreign ministers and deputy ministers, with many echoing calls for a ceasefire and a halt to attacks on Palestinian civilians amid widespread destruction in Gaza and the mounting death toll. The US, Israel’s staunchest ally, last week vetoed a resolution backed by 12 other members of the council, which would have called for a pause in fighting, because it did not do enough to stress Israel’s right to self-defence.Īn earlier Russian-drafted resolution was also rejected.
Keep reading list of 4 items list 1 of 4 UN chief says ‘clear violations of international humanitarian law’ in Gaza list 2 of 4 More than 700 killed in overnight Israeli attacks, Gaza officials say list 3 of 4 Qatari emir says Israel should not be given ‘free licence to kill’ in Gaza list 4 of 4 What do we know about Israeli captives taken by Hamas and their release? end of list